How to Find a Pet Friendly Apartment

They say a house (or apartment) is not a home without a pet. Or is it a kid? However the saying goes, renters are happier people when they have loving, furry family members to come home to. Pets provide comfort and laughter. They literally reduce stress and boost the immune system. And they don’t judge you or talk behind your back.

But a landlord might not see it that way. All they see is trouble wrapped in fur. Chaos incarnate. Guilty until proven innocent. Or at least, that’s what it seems like sometimes.

Flickr user: John Serrao

Believe it or not, there are plenty of beautiful apartments and rental homes that accept pets. There are even a few landlords that would absolutely adore your furry roommate. You just have to know where to find them.

So here’s the lowdown on how to find a pet friendly apartment:

1. Don’t rush it.

When it comes to finding a pet friendly apartment, patience is everything. The best pet-friendly apartments will have the lowest vacancy rates. Bide your time, scope out your favorite spots, save your money, and be ready when the time comes.

2. Be an awesome pet parent.

In the meantime, work on your pet’s resume. Enroll them in obedience school, and keep the certificate. Get your pet groomed regularly, and keep the receipts. Spay or neuter your pet, vaccinate your pet, get regular checkups, and keep all the records. Build a good rapport with your vet, landlord, roommates, neighbors, and dog sitters, because a stack of legit recommendations is worth its weight in gold.

3. Make a good impression.

A happy, healthy, well-behaved, doughy-eyed pet can be quite charming. If this describes your pet, then bring them along throughout the application process. They might just help seal the deal. You can also keep a few good photos on your phone, especially ones that show off how clean your house is in the background.

4. Buy peace of mind.

From the landlord’s point of view, pet damage is a major concern. Help ease those fears by offering to pay a pet deposit or pet rental fee. You can also purchase a renter’s insurance policy that covers pet damage. These policies are fairly cheap, and may provide the peace of mind a prospective landlord needs.

5. If necessary, buy yourself some more time.

If there are less than two weeks left on your current lease, it’s time to buy some more time. See if the landlord can extend the lease. Look for short-term rentals where you can make-do, or put your stuff in storage and stay in a pet-friendly B&B.

The process of moving is extremely stressful and there’s no point in doing it more than you need to. The best bet is to find the right rental the first time, and then hold onto it as long as you can.